Masonic Charity.

convicted of an imposition unworthy a Freemasons ' lodge . I am , clear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , INVESTIGATOR . November 30 th , 1863 .

Lodge Of Harmony (No. 600).

LODGE OF HARMONY ( No . 600 ) .

TO THE EDITOR OE THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AKD MAS 03 TI 0 MIRROR . DEAR SIR AUD BROTHER , —My feelings were greatly shocked on reading in your last impression a " resolution , " which had been forwarded to you for insertion from the lodge of Harmony ( No . 600 ) , in which my simplest rules arc set at defiance . My esteemed Bro . ' Cocker assures me that he entertains serious alarm that

his regulations have been most cruelly treated by the same loclge . Will you kindly watch over both interests , aud enlist the protection of the brotherhood on our behalf ? I am , dear Sir aud Brother , yours fraternally , LINMEY MUERAT . York , December 1 st , 1863 .

The Antiquity Of Masonic Degrees.

THE ANTIQUITY OF MASONIC DEGREES .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —May I beg you to allow me once again to notice the last communications of " Delta " and " Rosa Crncis , " though I hacl , indeed , intended to close our controversy ? I have but little to say to "Delta . " As regards the old York system , I recognise no

authority but that of the old York Grand Lodgo ; and it is idle for " Delta" to quote the ipse dixit of a High Grand Official as an answer to any question to him . That surely can bo no authority as regards the point in dispute . Whatever individual Masons may choose to call the York system , or to dub tho York Rite , the only true

system I know of is that system of working which is limited to the Craft Degrees and the Royal Ai * ch ; while the only authority I could consent to bow to is that of the Old York Grand Lodge . I do not see that anything else which "Delta" has said calls for further remarks from me . But , with respect to "Rosa Crucis" the case is very differenthe

, ; has put forward a good deal which requires notice . I beg respectfully again to assert , despite so high an . authority , that our present system of Uraft working is much anterior to 1715 . Tho very phraseology of portions of our ceremonies is

much earlier , speaking philologically , than the beginning of the eighteenth century , to which " Rosa Crucis" seems wishful to limit them . " Rosa Crucis" is , moreover , completely in error as regards the Sloane MS ., 384-8 , disproving the Master ' s degree . This statement , taken apparently from Bro . Dr . Oliver ' s

" Masonic Treasury , " and clearly not verified by " Rosa Crucis , " as it ought to have been , is , as I have already pointed out , in a previous letter to " Delta , " a grievous blunder . The Sloane MS ., 0848 , is nothing but a transcript of the old history and articles , and operative regulations of Masonry , written by Edwardus Sankey , iu 1646 , October 16 th . It has nothing to do with the

ritual of Masonry , but yet , incidentally , it does clearly point to the separate Order and functions and grade of Master . But there is a Sloane MS ., 3329 , which , as I have already stated iu THE MAGAZINE , is most decisive of the question , as I look upon it , and which I recommended " Rosa Crucis" as I recommended " Delta" to peruse

, , for himself . He will then see that about the middle of the 17 th century , as I asserted , there is evidence sufficient to prove to all instructed Masons , that the Master was separate in degree , iu authority , in-secret , from Fellow Craft and from Apprentice .

The Antiquity Of Masonic Degrees.

If " Rosa Crucis " will look to the end of the Harleian MS ., 2054 , in the handwriting of Randle Holmes , he will see this statement indisputably confirmed . " Rosa Crucis " talks about what he is pleased to call " the Legend of Hiram " being unknown in 1646 . It is strange that he has forgotten the simple fact thafc in all the MS . histories and constitutions of the Order ,

whether you take additional MS . 23 , 198 , or the Harleian 2054 , or the Lansdowne 98 , or the Sloane 3848 , or the Sloane 3323 , or the printed copy in the " Gentleman ' s Magazine" of 1815 , allusion either by direct name , or by what is clearly a clerical error , is made to Hiram of Tyre , or Hiram the Master . Thus the outer constitutions or articles confirm , as we

well know , our inner oral traditions . I am sorry thafc "Bosa Crucis" has to quote the authority of the writer of " Ahiman Rezon . " In no controversy where Masonic truth is sought , or Masonic honour is upheld , can such unreliable , such unworthy authority be put forward either with safety or propriety . I do not believe his statementfor the simple reason

, thafc we bave plenty of evidence to contradict it , aud thafc we prove him to have been an unscrupulous partizan and a reckless and discreditable opponent of Grand Lodge . " Rosa Crucis " asks me what it is I contend for ; I answer him shortly . Thafc we have nowin our Craft system of working

, , and in the Royal Arch , substantially the same ritual as prevailed among the operative lodges . That , when in 1715 , the speculative element got the upper hand , the same olcl system was preserved and handed down , allowing , of course , for the preponderance of the speculative element , and for the unavoidable changes of time and

circumstances . But what I have now contended for , and contend for still , is , that notwithstanding recent attacks we have abundant evidence and proof that Craft Masoury is both in itself and in its ritual older than any other Order or degree whatsoever . Ifc is older than the Masonic Knighfcs Templar or the Grand Conclaveifc is olderas I believethan the

Che-; , , valiers du Temple at Paris ; it is older than " Malta Pass , " or Ancient and Accepted Bite . If " Rosa Crucis " really believes that any of the above named Orders , or degrees , retain the actual system of the Orders whose names they bear , he is right to continue firm in that belief . I can only express an equally confident opinion as to

the superior antiquity of Craft Masonry and the Craft Ritual , as tbe forerunner of all inner and secret organisation , as tho foundation on which every other l'itual actually rests . I wish , in conclusion , thafc " Rosa Crucis " would favour us with a few authorities and references for all his many and startling statements ; will he refer me to the "Constitutions of the French Langue , " to

the Order of Graud Lodge in 17 * 22 , to the acknowledgment in 1787 ? These are facts and dates , better than any statements , ancl one really likes to see for oneself the context of such important documents . I quite agree with the remarks of Bro . Dr . Oliver ; and as onlobject is the holding of Masonic truthand

my y up , the support of what I conscientiously believe to be unimpeachable , I beg , once more , gratefully to subscribe myself , Yours fraternally , Enon . November 30 th , 1863 .

The Suspensions In Jersey.

THE SUSPENSIONS IN JERSEY .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEBOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Though iu your leading article of to-day you have expressed your total dissent from the arguments in the letter from Bro . Desraoulins , which is very properly appended to it , therein are personal statements respecting myself , as your correspondent ,